John G. Markowski
Commissioner, City of Chicago Department of Housing

Since 1999, John G. (Jack) Markowski has led the City of Chicago Department of Housing, an agency charged with strengthening neighborhoods and enhancing affordable housing opportunities for all Chicagoans.

Under Markowski’s leadership the Department has developed and maintained new sources of funding for affordable housing, even in tight fiscal times.  He has played a critical role in the development and implementation of the Department’s acclaimed five-year affordable housing plans—which all have met or exceeded goals.

He is shepherding the current plan Build, Preserve, Lead: A Housing Agenda for Chicago’s Neighborhoods   which is expected to utilize $1.9 billion dollars to build or preserve 48,000 units of housing by the end of 2008.

Prior to joining the Department of Housing in 1992, Markowski served as the first executive director of the North West Housing Partnership, an organization that promotes and develops affordable housing in Chicago’s North and Northwest suburbs.

He also served as executive director of the Edgewater Community Council, a community organization that focused on revitalizing a diverse, densely populated North Side neighborhood. 

Commissioner Markowski holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago and a master’s degree from the University of Oregon.  He is married and the father of three daughters.